If you’re alighting at Langdon Park DLR and craving a cheeky pint or two, you’re in luck – this residential corner of Poplar hides some solid local gems. Just a stone’s throw away you’ve got Callaghans, a friendly pub on Chrisp Street with wicker chairs and a relaxed vibe. Pop up to The Festival Inn, where regulars keep things lively and the beers are well kept. And if you’re after something more traditional, George IV offers classic pub charm and hearty grub. Perfect spots to wet your whistle without trekking into Canary Wharf!
The Manor Arms
Address: 150 East India Dock Road, London, E14 0BP
The Basics: Location and Atmosphere
- Where Is It? Located on bustling East India Dock Road in Poplar, Tower Hamlets, this historic Victorian pub is a short stroll from Poplar DLR and Limehouse stations, putting it well-connected yet retaining a neighbourhood feel.
- What’s the Vibe? It’s a proper East End boozer – unpolished and full of character. Expect a lively, friendly crowd, background chatter or music, and the hum of local trade. It sometimes hosts live performances and shows sports matches, lending to its casual, inclusive spirit.
What’s On Offer
- Live Music & Weekend Entertainment: Regular free live bands and performances (including piano singalongs or karaoke) grace weekend afternoons and evenings, making it a cultural hub for locals.
- Sport on the Screens: With TVs showing BT Sport, it’s a favourite for watching football alongside a friendly crowd, making match days a lively affair.
Practical Info
- When Can You Visit?
- Monday to Thursday & Sunday: 09:00 – 23:00
- Friday & Saturday: Extended to midnight or 23:30 on Fridays
The Angel of Bow
Address: 171 Devons Road, Bow, E3 3QX2HG
The Basics: Location and Atmosphere
- Where Is It? Nestled in the heart of East London’s Bow district, just steps from Devons Road DLR station and within easy reach of Victoria Park, the Olympic Park and ABBA Voyage Arena.
- What’s the Vibe? A family‑run, independent pub and boutique B&B offering a cosy, eclectic interior of retro armchairs, pale‑grey walls, wooden floors and a friendly, true East End welcome.
What’s On Offer
- Sunday Carvery & Pub Grub: Every Sunday brings a lavish roast spread: beef, lamb, pork with crackling and roast chicken, served with seasonal veg, dauphinoise & roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and – of course – proper gravy.
- Drag Bottomless Brunch & Live Entertainment: Saturday mornings are brightened with drag brunch featuring unlimited fizz and fun, plus a buzzing open‑mic night on Wednesdays, a lively pub quiz and regular live music throughout the week.
- On‑Site Brewery & Craft Drinks: Home‑brewed Angel of Bow Lager (takes 6–8 weeks to craft) shares bar space with rotating craft beers, ales, wines and signature cocktails.
Practical Info
- When Can You Visit?
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday–Thursday: 16:00–23:00
- Friday: 12:00–00:00
- Saturday: 12:00–00:00
- Sunday: 12:00–23:00
Hope & Anchor
Address: 14 Newby Place, Poplar, E14 0AY
The Basics: Location and Atmosphere
- Where Is It? Nestled in the heart of Poplar, this back‑street local is just 300 m south of All Saints DLR station, close to the high street and new waterfront developments in Tower Hamlets.
- What’s the Vibe? A cosy, traditional single‑room pub with a relaxed East End feel. It’s friendly, manageable in size, with a small front pavement and a rear yard that doubles as a smoker’s area. Regulars come for the local charm: pub games, live sport and live music on weekend nights.
What’s On Offer
- Pub Games & Sport: Hosts pool and darts teams (1 pool, 4 darts), with a TV screening live sports events, making it a go‑to for game nights.
- Live Music & Ale: Offers live music on Saturdays (sometimes Fridays for ticketed shows), plus one or two rotating real ales – often St Austell Cornish Best Bitter – typically available Friday through the weekend.
Practical Info
- When Can You Visit?
- Mon–Thu: 11:00–23:00
- Fri: 11:00–23:00
- Sat: 11:00–00:00
- Sun: 11:00–23:00
The Ledger Building
Address: 4 Hertsmere Road, West India Quay, E14 4AL
The Basics: Location and Atmosphere
- Where Is It? Nestled on the north‑west corner of the former West India Import Dock in Canary Wharf, this Grade I‑listed early 19th‑century building overlooks the historic docks and is a short stroll from West India Quay DLR and Canary Wharf station.
- What’s the Vibe? The ambience is a harmonious blend of heritage elegance and lively pub energy: lofty, vaulted ceilings, Georgian brickwork, and framed dockside prints create a spacious barn-like feel, while a bustling Wetherspoon crowd keeps it sociable.
What’s On Offer
- Historic Setting: Formerly the record‑keeping hub of the West India Docks (built 1803–4), the pub retains period features and displays historic prints and photos of docklife, offering a rich sense of place.
- Food & Drink Selection
- Serving the full Wetherspoon range, it offers breakfast from 9am, an all‑day menu including burgers, curries, pastas, and vegetarian dishes—and often five rotating guest ales from London microbreweries.
- Roomy Layout: The venue comprises a large central bar area and at least three additional rooms, making it ideal for groups, relaxed catch‑ups or simply soaking in the space without feeling overcrowded
Practical Info
- When Can You Visit? Open daily from around 9am. Typical closing times are midnight Sundays–Thursdays, midnight–1 am Fridays–Saturdays (Fri late licence), and 11 pm on Sundays.
The Tommy Flowers
Address: 50 Aberfeldy Street, Aberfeldy Village, E14 0NU
The Basics: Location and Atmosphere
- Where Is It? Nestled in the heart of Aberfeldy Village, just a short stroll from East India DLR station, The Tommy Flowers occupies a vibrant corner unit within the regenerated Poplar estate.
- What’s the Vibe? A cosy, community-led micropub with a welcoming living-room feel. Featuring houseplants, comfy seating, framed photos, an upright piano and a friendly landlord. It’s far more homely than your typical high‑street boozer.
What’s On Offer
- Glass‑blowing and Maker Workshops: From glass‑blowing and ceramics to 3D printing, photography and stop‑motion animation, creatively minded locals can try their hand at a range of hands‑on sessions.
- Talkaoke, Live Music & Community Events: Regular ‘Talkaoke’ nights, board‑games, knitting classes and live‑music sessions ensure the pub buzzes with East‑End camaraderie.
Practical Info
- When Can You Visit?
- Monday–Wednesday: Community space open (not serving alcohol)
- Thursday–Friday: 16:00–23:00
- Saturday: ~13:00–23:00
- Sunday: ~13:00–18:00
Ready to Visit?
If you’re hopping off at Langdon Park DLR, don’t be fooled by the low-key surrounds—this patch of East London hides some real gems for the curious pub-goer. Whether it’s the lively banter and weekend tunes at The Manor Arms, the eclectic charm and Sunday roast spread at The Angel of Bow, or the home-grown, creative buzz of The Tommy Flowers, there’s a warm welcome (and a well-poured pint) not far from the tracks. The mix of traditional boozers and community-led venues makes Poplar and Bow an unexpectedly rich slice of London’s ever-evolving pub scene.
Share the Love
Tried one of the pubs above? Tell your mates, spread the word, and share your thoughts online. Every review helps keep these East End gems thriving—cheers!
